What makes Leslie Catlett with The Penmanship Lab LLC a good neighbor?

The intersection of occupational therapy and handwriting instruction is gaining renewed attention as we recognize its importance, particularly for neurodiverse students. On the recent episode of the Good Neighbor Podcast, Leslie Catlett, founder of The Penmanship Lab LLC, shared valuable insights about her specialized approach to handwriting and fine motor skills coaching.

As an occupational therapist with experience homeschooling her own children, Leslie identified a critical gap in education services. She witnessed firsthand how incorporating handwriting instruction significantly improved her son's literacy, confidence, and comprehension skills. This personal experience, combined with her professional expertise, motivated her to create a business dedicated to helping students who struggle with handwriting and fine motor skills. The Penmanship Lab LLC specifically focuses on providing individualized, evidence-based approaches to help neurodiverse students succeed academically and build confidence in their everyday activities.

One of the most pervasive misconceptions Leslie encounters is the belief that handwriting skills are becoming obsolete in our increasingly digital world. She strongly challenges this notion, explaining that handwriting instruction goes far beyond simply putting letters on paper. When students practice handwriting, they're simultaneously developing crucial neural pathways, enhancing memory formation, improving fine motor coordination, and building self-esteem. These benefits extend well beyond the physical act of writing and contribute to a child's overall cognitive and emotional development. Schools often struggle to provide adequate handwriting instruction due to competing educational priorities, while parents may feel overwhelmed trying to support their children's specific learning needs at home.

Leslie's business serves as a bridge between these gaps, offering specialized support for families with neurodiverse children or any students struggling with handwriting legibility and fine motor skills. Her client base includes traditional school students needing supplemental assistance, homeschool families seeking specialized instruction, and schools requiring additional support services. What makes her approach particularly effective is her deep understanding of the challenges families face—knowledge gained through her own experience navigating different learning styles with her two sons. She describes the difficulty of simultaneously being a parent, teacher, and therapist while homeschooling, and how this experience fostered greater compassion and insight into the struggles many families endure.

The Penmanship Lab represents more than just handwriting instruction; it embodies Leslie’s mission to provide families with the right tools, support, and genuine hope for their children’s development. By focusing on building confidence and independence alongside technical skills, she helps shape the foundational abilities students need for academic success and beyond. For those interested in learning more about The Penmanship Lab LLC's services, Leslie invites listeners to visit her website at www.thepenmanshiplab.com or connect on Instagram at @the_penmanship_lab.

To learn more about The Penmanship Lab LLC go to:

https://www.thepenmanshiplab.com/about

The Penmanship Lab LLC

614-379-3027